fromtheeditor
Mission: Accepted
Military Offi cer’s newest department is off to a great start,
thanks to all the members who sent in stories about lessons
they’ve learned during their military careers.
I
f you recall, about a month ago I a menace that originated
offered you the chance to become a centuries before Christ. The
published author. Your mission, if U.S. met this unconventional
you chose to accept it, was to pro- enemy early in the nation’s
duce a short essay about a signifi cant history in the form of the
leadership lesson you’ve learned. Now, Barbary pirates. Other coun-
the fi rst deadline has come due, and I’m tries routinely paid these
pleased to say you came through with fl y- pirates a toll for safe passage,
ing colors. but President Jefferson de-
Thanks to an overwhelming response cided to fi ght. “Millions for
from members, in this issue we are able defense, but not one cent for
to launch a new department, Lessons tribute!” became a rallying
Learned. This feature will appear every slogan for the nation’s fi rst
month — providing, of course, you keep war against piracy.
sending us new material. Check out the Our feature “Scourge of the
fi rst installment on page 64. But don’t stop Seas,” page 56, focuses on pi-
at simply reading the essay. We’re hoping racy in the 21st century. When
these real-life vignettes will spur you to we scheduled this story about
share your own thoughts on the topic at six months ago, we thought it would be one
hand and to compare notes with your fel- of those “Well, that’s nice to know, but does
low MOAA members. it really affect us?” stories. Little did we
To comment on a lesson learned, visit know that pirates would attack an Ameri-
www.moaa.org/lessonslearned, e-mail can cargo ship off Somalia’s coast this past
profseries@moaa.org, or mail MOAA April. In fact, at the time of the attack, this
Professional Series, 201 N. Washington story already had been written and submit-
St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Comments will ted for editing. Needless to say, the author
appear online, and we’ll print selections made some quick updates.
in an upcoming Your Views. Also, don’t In closing, I wish you all a great Inde-
forget we’ll need more great entries to pendence Day. As we celebrate our nation’s
consider for publication each month. So 233rd birthday, let’s pause to remember the
think about sharing your experiences. men and women in uniform who continue
Send your stories (approximately 450 to fi ght for our independence.
words) to one of the addresses above.
Lessons Learned fi lls our “something
new” category for the month. But what
about something we thought was old but
is new again? The subject is piracy. It’s — Col. Warren S. Lacy, USA-Ret.
10 MILITARY OFFICER JULY 2009 PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
JJul_editors.indd
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